Keane is cleared of taxi man 'road rage' incident

courts

Ireland's assistant manager Roy Keane has been cleared of aggressively confronting a taxi driver in a road rage row.

District Judge Duncan Birrell found him not guilty of a public order charge after dismissing as a "storm in a teacup" allegations levelled against the Old Trafford legend by cabbie Fateh Kerar.

Mr Kerer (44) claimed Mr Keane had stared at him aggressively and then followed him in his black 4x4 before confronting him.

But District Judge Birrell told Manchester Magistrates' Court yesterday there was something of the "thwarted fan" about Mr Kerar, who saw the footballer when he pulled over at a bank in Hale village to let a passenger get some cash.

Football fan Mr Kerar told the court "I love Roy Keane", but claimed the Old Trafford legend gave him "bad looks" when he saw him on the morning of January 30.

He said Mr Keane (42) followed him in his car before "jumping" out and swearing at him.

His account was backed by his fare, Hothan Isman, who said Mr Keane had been "shouting and moving his hands around and being aggressive", leaving her feeling "shocked, upset".

evidence

But District Judge Birrell suggested Mr Kerar made the allegations up because Mr Keane "hadn't lived up to his expectations" and said his evidence was "riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities".

Earlier Mr Keane, told the court he noticed Mr Kerar across the road in his taxi and nodded to acknowledge him but that as they both moved off the cabbie made a gesture.

Keane, pushing the corners of his mouth up with his fingers, told the court: "He gave me a smirking gesture."

The former Ipswich and Sunderland manager denied reacting and flicking a V sign at Mr Kerar but said: "I noticed in our mirror that the driver gave me two fingers."

When their cars stopped at a junction, Mr Keane said: "I opened the door and literally asked him what's his problem. I said it two or three times. He said something like, 'You need to cheer up'.

"I just turned and got back in my car. As I got back in my car with my back to him I said: 'Oh f*** off.'"

Dismissing the case, Judge Birrell told Keane: "I have listened with great care to the evidence. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. It's my view, taking a careful account of the evidence, that they have failed to discharge their burden; therefore I find you not guilty."